Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve

Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, Self-catering accommodation in Howick Kwazulu Natal

Description

In 1973 members of WESSA conducted a massive fundraising effort to purchase a portion of a farm belonging to Mr Eric Humphries. WESSA members in KwaZulu-Natal decided that the aim for the reserve was "to manage and maintain the reserve in as natural a state as possible so as to provide for the needs of Environmental Education". Over thirty years later we are still providing a diversity of quality Environmental Education (EE) fieldwork courses!

Reserve description : The greater part of the nature reserve lies in the spectacular gorge below the Howick Falls, while the upper part is the fringe of a rolling plateau which has an average altitude of about 1 000m. The land falls away abruptly at the edge of the plateau for about 60m to form rock faces in places. The valley sides below 860m altitude slope away gently towards the Umgeni River, 7km of which falls within the reserve. The lowest point is 737m above sea level. The reserve is home to giraffe, zebra and a variety of antelope. There is an indigenous tree trail surrounding the main Education Centre and self-guided walks mingling with the game animals in the beautiful Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve. A bird watchers paradise, with over 270 bird species to view throughout the year - see if you can spot the elusive Nerina Trogon or the crowned eagle. Butterflies abound in the reserve.

The gorge and its branches were formed by the headward erosion of the Umgeni River through the Middle Ecca shales and sandstones and Karroo dolerite. The Howick Falls, situated 0.6 km above the reserve boundary, have partially eroded through a large dolerite sill. The average annual rainfall varies between about 835mm in the upper parts to about 750mm in the valley. The valley is several degrees warmer than the plateau but the temperature range in the valley is greater.The two main categories of soils in the reserve reflect the degree of weathering. Highly leached soils, represented by Balmoral, Clovelly, Griffin and Mispah series occur in the upper, cooler and moister parts of the reserve. They are acid and have a low nutrient status. The slightly less leached soils below the escarpment are less weathered and include the Arniston, Glengazi and Mispah series. They are usually associated with rockiness. The Arniston series is most common in the lower parts of the reserve.

Places of interest close to the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve :
Swimming in the streams and Umgeni River is a welcome break especially in the warm summer months. It is central to the well known Midlands Meander - country treasures of arts, crafts, shops and restaurants. Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve has spectacular views of the Howick Falls, with Shelter Falls situated in a secluded valley within the nature reserve. Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is close to Midmar Dam for power boating and sailing. Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve is easily accessible being only 1 km from Howick. Howick is on the main N3 route form Durban to Johannesburg - 30 km. from Pietermaritzburg, 120 km. from Durban and 500 km from Johannesburg.

There are SIX WALKING TRAILS at Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve: - Shelter Falls Trail, Inkonka Trail, Black Eagle Trail, Grasslands Trail, Rietspruit Trail and Dwarf’s Dawdle Trail.

There is also an AUTO TRAIL: There are 11 numbered markers dotted along the road into the nature reserve. Each point has a corresponding number in the
Auto Trail booklet which will offer some interpretation / information
about that particular point. The drive is about 6 km each way.

TREES: - Some of the trees found in the nature reserve are:
Natal Cycad - Encephalartos natalensis
White stinkwood - Celtis africana
Cabbage Tree - Cussonia spicata
River Bushwillow - Combretum erythrophyllum
Tree fuchsia - Halleria lucida
Plus Acacia, Ficus, Euphorbia, Aloe and Rhus species to name but a few.
For people who would like to learn more about trees, the booklet “Trees of Umgeni Valley” may be purchased at the reserve reception.
INDIGENOUS TREE TRAIL: - This is located around the offices and is for people who cannot manage the demands of the valley trails. A booklet to guide and inform you can be purchased at a nominal price.

BIRDS: Here are a few of the 270 bird species which may be found at Umgeni Valley. A detailed check-list is obtainable from the reserve reception:
Black collared barbet, Longtailed Wagtail, Black Eagle, Narina Trogon, Chorister Robin, Paradise Flycatcher, Crowned Eagle, Redbilled Woodhoopoe, Fish Eagle, Red Bishop, Green spotted Dove, Southern Boubou, Gymnogene, Shelley’s Francolin, Jackal Buzzard,
Trumpeter Hornbill, Knysna Lourie, Whitefaced Duck, Long-crested Eagle, Wood Owl.

MAMMALS: A SPOOR SHEET and illustrations of the ANIMALS found in the nature reserve are available from the reception:
Nyala, Bushbuck, Impala, Blesbuck, Burchell’s zebra, Reedbuck, Blue wildebeest, Duiker, Giraffe, Warthog, Clawless otter, Porcupine, Vervet monkey,
Rock Dassie, Spotted genet, Mongoose, Oribi, Aardvark, Leopard, Caracal.

 Accommodation

1. Chalets are semi-detached and can accommodate two people per chalet. They are self contained and have electricity, kitchenette, ablutions, and single beds with linen. Situated near the reserve entrance, they make an ideal stopover site. The zebras are regular visitors to your verandahs too.

2. Cottages are 5kms from the office, overlooking the spectacular Umgeni Valley. They do not have electricity, but have gas appliances and solar lighting. They are an ideal getaway with convenient access to walking trails. There are three cottages:

* uMhlangeni Cottage is a secluded 4-bed cottage nestled between two streams. It looks across the escarpment onto the Dwarf's Dawdle trail where zebra and blesbuck are common. There are two separate bedrooms with a bathroom and toilet.

* Hepburn Cottage is a family cottage with large living room and fireplace. It has three bedrooms, sleeping 6 people in total. A separate shower and toilet are provided. The cottage is perched on the edge of the cliff line looking east over the Umgeni River towards Albert Falls Dam. In the summer, the sunrise is a sight to see, and in the winter the fireplace is most welcome.

* Anniversary Cottage is a small comfortable two-bed cottage situated close to the Hepburn Cottage. Boasting a wonderful view it is popular with young couples and pensioners. Its proximity to Hepburn Cottage allows larger family groups to flow over into Anniversary Cottage, yet it still retains its own privacy.

Cottages are provided with:

• Gas stove
• Gas fridge with small freezer compartment
• Solar lighting - candles for emergencies
• Crockery and cutlery
• Single beds with linen - but no bath towels.
• Outside braai area - own firewood required.

Cottages are not serviced during one's stay. Cottages must be vacated by 10am on the last day and are available from 2pm on the day of arrival.

3. Rustic camps are suitable for:
a) Large groups of school children
b) Church groups
c) Families

There is no direct vehicular access to any of the camps, but parking is provided at the top of the hill. There is therefore, a steep descent to walk to the camps.

All camps have wooden bungalows raised off the ground, with open doors and windows. Mattresses, showers and flushing toilets are provided.

Visitors are required to bring the following:

• sleeping bags
• pots and pans, crockery and cutlery
• firewood
• candles, matches, rubbish bags and
• toilet paper
• collect hiking mattresses at the office

There are three large camps accommodating up to 60 people. The fourth (Cycad Camp) sleeps 30 people.

* Shelter Falls is the closest camp to the offices. A short, steep walk gets you to the camp which is nestled in a narrow valley with a bubbling stream. It is an ideal camp for a quiet weekend and swimming, but hikes within this area are limited.

* Inkonka Camp is reached by a narrow winding footpath with numerous steps, making the descent very steep. This is about half a kilometre in length. The camp is sheltered by Celtis africana trees, and has bungalows arranged in a semi-circle with a central fireplace. It is close to the river spot known as Fish Jump Falls and has access to three trails.

* Indulo Camp is nestled on the side of the valley slopes at the end of a steep road. The position of its bungalows lends itself to being used by two separate family groups without any imposition. Dombeya trees dot the wooded slopes above the camp. Sunrise Rock which is situated below the camp is an ideal spot from which to greet the mornings. This camp is centrally placed allowing easy access to five trails.

* Cycad Camp is the fourth and smallest camp, sleeping a maximum of 30 people. It has communal showers and toilets, and a basic kitchen. There is no separate staff accommodation. Parking for the camp is above Indulo camp. A walk of about 3km past Indulo Camp and eastwards towards the grasslands gets you to Cycad Camp where antelope and giraffe may be seen. Large boulders covered by sprawling Fig trees surround the camp, and numerous old Cycads can be found at the back of the camp.

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